'Contract Departments for Training Talents in Advanced Fields' to Have Significantly Lowered Barriers

Introduction of 'Contract Quota System' Allowing Customized Corporate Training

Starting in June, universities and industries aiming to establish and operate contract departments for workforce development in advanced industries will be subject to significantly relaxed standards for the establishment and operation of contract departments.

On the 23rd, the Ministry of Education announced that it will drastically improve the contract department system, beginning with the revision of the 'Industry-Academia Cooperation Act Enforcement Decree' this year, followed by the 'Regulations on the Establishment and Operation of Contract Departments,' to promote talent cultivation in advanced fields.

Accordingly, when training prospective hires for advanced industry sectors, it will be possible to add contract quotas to existing departments without establishing separate contract departments, and the industry's burden ratio for operating expenses will be allowed to be less than 50%, down from the previous requirement of 50% or more. Job training for employees belonging to advanced industry companies can also be requested at any university nationwide.

The Ministry of Education will hold a contract department system briefing session at the Korea Research Foundation on the 25th to prevent confusion in the field regarding the establishment and operation of contract departments due to regulatory relaxation and to ensure that university officials fully understand the related content.

Additionally, to provide administrative convenience for university and corporate officials, a work manual reflecting the revised contents will be distributed through the Ministry of Education’s website.

Gu Yeon-hee, Director of Regional Talent Policy at the Ministry of Education, stated, “With this system improvement, contract departments are expected to actively function as an optimized system for customized workforce development for companies, enabling the rapid cultivation of talent that will become a driving force for national growth.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.